The water is not coming of the dispenser on my Whirlpool side-by-side refrigerator. It seems the ice maker is working. I’m wondering if it’s the "water inlet valve kit" that needs replacing. I took the cardboard off the back bottom of the refrigerator, took off the mounting bracket, and pulled out the current piece to look at it.
If that is what’s needed, I’m not sure if I could replace it or not. The part I’m worried about is getting water in where it should be and getting electrical parts wet and doing more damage.:eek: It seems that "water inlet valve" is right near where the electrical cord goes too. Are the "quick connect" tubes easy to replace? I wasn’t sure how they worked, and if water would gush out if I took one off, so I left it all connected.
Anyway, I guess the real question is, is that the right part for me to replace, or is it something else? (They won’t take the part back once I buy it.) Whatever part needs replacing, is it fairly simple for a novice?
All help is greatly appreciated! We miss having the cold water from the fridge. Thank you.
Before ordering any parts you have to perform some troubleshooting. We can tell you what to do, but we can not do it for you. Replacing parts by guessing - it’s wasting of money. Let us know when you are ready.
Can you explain more specifically what did you mean? Does it leak?
Locate the water dispenser solenoid (5/16" tube connected to) on the water valve. Remove the wires from this solenoid and check for 1220 VAC between them while the water dispenser calls for water (water lever depressed). Post the results.
I guess I need to buy a multimeter and figure out how to use it. I was looking online and it looks like some only measure up to a certain voltage (for example up to 500). So I need to find one that can measure up to 1220 volts, right?
I guess I need to buy a multimeter and figure out how to use it. I was looking online and it looks like some only measure up to a certain voltage (for example up to 500). So I need to find one that can measure up to 1220 volts, right?
— End quote
Sorry for the mistyping. I meant "120 VAC". You do not need any special multimeter, just a simple one.
If you know how to handle a simple tools then water valve replacement is not going to be too difficult.
Thank you for your reply. I borrowed a multimeter from someone and tried testing for 120 VAC. I removed the wires from the "plugs" on the solenoid and put the black end of the multimeter on one side of the prongs, and the red end of the multimeter on the red side of the prongs. Had my daughter press down on the water dispenser while testing. The best I could tell was that it was somewhere around 7 to 10. The number jumps up and down really quickly (digital) and don’t stand still, so it’s hard to tell.
I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to put the multimeter ends on the little round dots on the top of the solenoid, so I did that too. I got a reading anywhere from a 3 to a high of around 85. Again the numbers jump even when I am holding things very still. But did not get a 120.
Did I do this right? Thanks so much for your help.
Sounds like the problem is a bad push button switch on the water dispenser front panel. This switch does not come separate and the correction is to replace the front cover assembly.
If you need the correct part number then post the color of the front cover.
I think I have the same problem with my Whirlpool side by side (GD5PHAXMs00), where the ice dispenses but the water does not. I had a repairman fix this problem only 2 years after I bought the fridge, and he replaced part 2180226 - it’s a plastic housing with these 4 spindly little "toothpick" like parts that jut out. Last time a couple of them were broken off and once he repaired the part it worked great - for another 2 years (I think my son pushes too hard on the dispenser and breaks off the "toothpicks").
I watched the repairman replace the parts, which didn’t look too difficult, but I need to know how to take the front panels off the freezer side in order to work on the dispenser. I bought 3 of the parts from this website (figuring I’ll need to replace them every couple of years) for about $8 each (the other repair bill was $138.88) - so, how do I get the panels off and replace that plastic housing?
I think I have the same problem with my Whirlpool side by side (GD5PHAXMs00), where the ice dispenses but the water does not. I had a repairman fix this problem only 2 years after I bought the fridge, and he replaced part 2180226 - it’s a plastic housing with these 4 spindly little "toothpick" like parts that jut out. Last time a couple of them were broken off and once he repaired the part it worked great - for another 2 years (I think my son pushes too hard on the dispenser and breaks off the "toothpicks").
I watched the repairman replace the parts, which didn’t look too difficult, but I need to know how to take the front panels off the freezer side in order to work on the dispenser. I bought 3 of the parts from this website (figuring I’ll need to replace them every couple of years) for about $8 each (the other repair bill was $138.88) - so, how do I get the panels off and replace that plastic housing?
Worked perfectly! I had to unplug about 12 wiring connections, but numbered them and drew a diagram in order to correctly replace them. The little plastic "toothpick" like things holds the electronic switch that releases the water. When the "toothpicks" break, it allows the electronic switch unit to move back and not release the water.
So, buying the part from Appliance Pro Parts saved me 94% of the cost of a repairman coming out.